Matthew 9:14-17

Fasting. The Old and the New (Mark 2:18 *, Luke 5:33). Mt. makes the disciples of John (who were more numerous and important for two or three centuries than is usually recognized; cf. p. 797) put the question. Sons of the bride-chamber means, by a common Heb idiom, wedding-guests; John 3:29 has its root here. The old garment is the system deduced from the Law rather than the Law itself; there is no contradiction of Matthew 5:17. Lk. takes the patch from a new garment a double disaster. Note the necessity of new forms (Matthew 9:17) unless the new spirit is to be lost; yet Jesus leaves it to His Church to provide them. On fasting cf. Matthew 6:16.